A Grand Exit or Powerful New Start?

Our guest preacher was Bill Owens, father of Brandon Owens, our young adult minister. The text was 2 Kings 2:1-12, Elijah going to heaven in the fiery chariot and Elisha starting over without his mentor, tearing his old clothes off, taking on Elijah's robe and a double portion of his spirit to a new beginning.

Dr. Owen tried to apply it to our church putting off old ways and taking on new ministries in a new and different neighborhood. Change is always a risk, but God has given us His Spirit to move forward. A strong message I hope our people understood as I did.

But of course I was also thinking about my possible exit and daring move forward which is another risk-filled change, but like the church and Elisha I risk staying in my mundane rut without change. My change will also mean giving up most of my "things" (like Elisha ripping his robes off) and moving forward with God's Spirit. Well, I'm neither Elisha or a church that is moving into a new ministry nor an Elijah carting off to heaven in a chariot, but I am going to keep God central in this decision and do believe God will surprise me, whatever the decision! But I think I am ready for a change! (Or wanting it!)

Is God Laughing at Me?

Yesterday I wrote in my Costa Rica Decision Blog about a quote I liked from one of the many books I'm reading on the country: "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans."  said Iyanla Vanzant. The expat, Bob Normand, who quoted that had seen most of his plans fail or turn out differently than he planned. That is certainly possible for me too, though I am doing more research than that guy did before actually moving.

I'm doing my "due diligence" (as another expat proclaims) or serious research on Costa Rica as a retirement place before the August 23 trip to be truly prepared for making a decision sometime after the trip. I believe this is the wise way to go about it, even if a crazy idea! Then the above quote sort of slaps me in the face and I wonder, "What am I doing? Is God already laughing at my plans?" Well, first, I have no definite plans yet. Though I'm sure He is at least smiling, and also believe He loves to see me enthusiastic about anything whether it works out or not. I think that was the case when I worked so hard and enthusiastically to get First Baptist involved in ongoing volunteer mission work in The Gambia and the church just didn't respond. I moved on with life and got over the disappointment.

As written in both blogs, I've already asked God for His direction in this path (Prov. 3:5-6). And I consider "His will" most important for me and my life, though it's not exactly like considering that call to missions in The Gambia. As a follower of Christ I try to "acknowledge him in all my ways," which really does not change if I live somewhere else. In essence I can be in "God's will" anywhere I live and in anything I choose to do with my life. I live by faith here in Tennessee and would if  in Costa Rica.

This decision is about how I spend the last chapter of my life. It could end up being something I haven't even imagined yet. Where I'm seeing adventure, God may be seeing ministry. Where I see myself photographing the beautiful tropics and its wildlife, God may be seeing me as a special helper in a little church or some other ministry I don't know about yet. God loves to surprise! (See Ephesians 3:20-21, The Message)

So, I'm admitting that God may not give me clear directions to "Go to Costa Rica" or "Stay in Tennessee." I think I'm going to have to make this decision day by day while living in "His Spirit" as this blog proclaims. That reminds me of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:34,

So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.

Is seeking adventure (a big part of my Costa Rica thing) selfish and foolish? I don't think so, but I'm also not sure. No decision until after the trip and even then it will still be a day by day following of Jesus. Your prayers for me are appreciated! 

This Is the Way; Walk In It.

The Vacation Bible School theme for next year was announced with the memory verse and although the HCSB will be used and almost the same, I decided I like the NIV a little better and may be using it as a personal motto for awhile as I go through a potentially life-changing decision to move to Costa Rica or not: 

Isaiah 30:21

New International Version (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I wrote it down at the end of this year's VBS but didn't look at it until just now, the afternoon after a worship service at First Baptist Nashville that also spoke to me about my decision-making process. Pastor Frank looked at how God cared for Elijah in his depression in I Kings 19:1-10. God told him to rest and eat and He would lead Elijah in what to do next. That is what I am trying to do with an idea that will seem crazy or impractical to some, but is following my heart. So,

God, I'm resting and eating and waiting for some indication about what you want me to do with such a life-altering decision. So tell me God if "This is the way; walk in it." 

Follow my decision-making process on another blog Costa Rica Decision Process 

Now the surprise for me in worship this morning was the congregational singing of a hymn I had never heard before (Thanks to Mark Edwards!) titled "Sometimes A Light Surprises" by William Cowper in the 1700's and it too spoke to me in my new time of big decision-making. The lyrics: 

Sometimes a light surprises, The Christian while he sings 

It is the Lord who rises, with healing in His wings

When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again

A season of clear shining, to cheer is after rain

In holy contemplation, we sweetly then pursue

The theme of God’s salvation, and find it ever new

Set free from present sorrow, we cheerfully can say

Let the unknown tomorrow, Bring with it what it may

Tomorrow can bring us nothing, But He will bear us through

Who gives the lilies clothing, Will clothe His people too

Beneath the spreading heavens, No creature but is fed

And He who feeds the ravens, Will give His children bread

Though vine nor fig-tree neither,

Their wonted fruit should bear

Though all the fields should wither,

Nor flocks or herds be there

Yet God the same abiding, His praise shall tune my voice

For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice!

For while in Him confiding, I cannot but rejoice!

Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/caedmon-s-call/sometimes-a-light-surprises-lyrics/#kWZO0XkztRrpxjSQ.99